Prom nights are the nights when parents really have to act like parents. However, there’s not as much craze for proms as it used to be 20 years back, teens still get excited for their big nights, however, the girl’s story we are about to share with you is all about a horrible experience when it should have been her prom night!

Her name is Clare Ettinger, well that’s what we know, but her last name has been kept a secret as Clare is a minor and her parents didn’t wish to publicize her identity. When the news about this Richmond, Virginia girl went viral people started searching her on social platforms, however, the confusion behind her name increased. The night she planned for weeks and expected to have fun with her friends drastically changed to an awkward moment.

Theme Prom

Clare was going to prom with James, her boyfriend, both were all set for the big night, which had a theme of “Twilight in Paris” and the two bought relevant outfits for the special evening. For guys, it’s still a simple task but girls have their own issues when it comes to outfits especially which play an important role. “We waited eagerly for Saturday to arrive. My dress was gorgeous, silver, and sparkly and I got it at Macy’s and was very excited to find it after searching over six stores for this dress,” Clare recalled her experience. As soon as Clare found her perfect dress she was ready to go to the party but there was one hurdle.

The Test

Prom is an exciting time for teenagers. The perfect dress is any dress that they feel beautiful and confident wearing. Christy Austin explained the importance of a dress in the prom. Clare tried out this dress, everything looked perfect about it yet there was a test she has to pass to get in the prom night. It’s known as “the fingertip test”, ie, her dress should be more in length than the point her fingertip reaches when her arms are relaxed and so Clare did the same and clicked a picture of it. After taking the breath of relief, Clare immediately bought the dress from the money she had been saving. Now she was all ready for her fateful prom night and hence went on and shared her joy with her friends, who accompanied her in finding “the perfect dress” for the night that was meant to be perfect but everything went otherwise just because of one little issue.

Confronted!

Clare reached at the venue with her friends and was excited to show her dress to James, her boyfriend and never could have never imagined what happened next just because of her dress! The event not just affected her but many, she was there to have fun like all other teens and wasn’t expecting anything to spoil their wonderful evening.

Clare said she heard one of the volunteers saying, “Honey, that dress is too short.” She recalls the volunteer trying to remind her of the “fingertip length” while she was already aware of it and she explained to the volunteers that her long legs might be the reason for the dress to look short. However, Ms. Duncan, one of the volunteers wasn’t ready to listen and made it clear that Clare will not be allowed in!

I See You!

Ms. Duncan knew that she couldn’t stop Clare from being a part of the prom but she warned her that her dress should stay pulled down always and that no one should have a problem with it. Also, Clare was told that volunteers will be keeping an eye on her! But somehow she was glad that she made it through the test and volunteers and could finally enjoy. However, what happened next was a weird incident.

“I was told that the way I dressed and moved my body was causing men to think inappropriately about me, implying that it is my responsibility to control other people’s thoughts and drives,” Ms. Duncan told Clare. Clare further added, “My group of five people had to leave the prom because I stuck out, I have long legs and I was wearing a sparkly dress, I didn’t look like most of the 13-15-year-old girls there.”

Escorted Out!

“When the lady kicked me out, they said the dads had complained about my dancing and that meant that they had to have been watching me,” Clare exclaimed and she is right from her side of the story but we are yet to know the other side.

The group of friends was told they’ll be refunded their $25 of the entry fee but that never happened. Clare even wanted a letter of apology from the board stating that it’s not her fault if their volunteers felt uncomfortable after looking at her. Clare was sure that she’s not going tolerate all this insult quietly.

Clare wasn’t receiving any refund or apology from the volunteers and she wanted others to know what happened with her. She shared it on Facebook and next day on her sister’s blog and the word spread like wildfire.